Composting at Whole Foods Market Durham

by durham, February 4, 2009 | Permalink

We get a lot of inquiries every week from customers who are concerned about the environment and how we do our part to make a difference. We’re always pleased to tell them the many ways that Whole Foods Market in Durham is contributing to greening our planet, and composting is often a big part of that discussion.

Behind the scenes we’re composting every food waste material possible. From the fruit peels in our cut fruit operations, to the scraps generated in the prepared foods kitchen. Brooks, our local composting company, picks up multiple large trash cans full of compostable materials every week from our store.

But don’t worry, good food isn’t often composted. Every day we donate edible product that cannot be sold (as long as it isn’t expired!) to the Durham Rescue Mission, the Durham Food Bank and Urban Ministries of Durham to feed people who are hungry in our community.

Many of our customers don’t realize that they too can play a big role in composting at our store! There are composting containers next to the trash and recycling receptacles. And you can compost more than just food waste! Our to-go salad bar containers can be composted, as well as the brown boxes for hot bar food. Paper soup cups and coffee cups can also go right into the compost container.

In addition to composting, we go a step farther in our recycling options as well. We recycle plastics through Save A Tree, a company than can recycle ALL PLASTICS (not just the numbered plastics that most county agencies take). So not only can you throw in your bottles for recycling, but plastic plates, clam shell containers, silverware, lids (like the ones to soup cups or coffee cups), and any plastic wrappers can go right in our plastic recycling receptacle as well.

So we reach out to you, our loyal customers, to help us further our green mission every time you enjoy a meal or snack in our cafe. Take a moment as you leave to speparate your waste into the proper containers. You can compost all food and paper waste and recycle all your plastics, aluminum and glass. See if you can leave without putting a single item into the landfill-destined trash can!

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